Carlo Ancelotti says last game at Stamford Bridge will be for thank-yous, not goodbyes

13 May 2011 03:00

ShareCarlo Ancelotti today refused to contemplate the prospect of Chelsea's Barclays Premier League clash with Newcastle being his final home game at the club.

Ancelotti appears set to be sacked at the end of the season after overseeing the worst campaign at Stamford Bridge since Roman Abramovich's takeover.

The Blues boss could be forgiven for saying his goodbyes to Chelsea's supporters this weekend but he said this afternoon: 'I don't want to think about it being my last (home) game.

Defiant: Ancelotti refuses to accept that his departure is inevitable

'I am focused to put the best team out, to win, to say thanks to our fans. They gave us fantastic support and it's not been an easy season for them.

'It doesn't matter if it's the last or not. We have to wait and see what happens at the end of the season.'

He added: 'I don't know what is going to happen about my future, but I'm not nervous. I'm quiet. I'm calm. I hope to stay - I've said a lot of times - but if something's changed, I will find another solution without problem.'

Despite Chelsea being on the brink of only their third trophyless season of the Abramovich era, Ancelotti appears to have retained the backing of the majority of the club's supporters.

He said: 'For me, it's fantastic. To think they appreciate my job and are close to me, continue to say this, it's a good step and aim that I was able to reach in this year.'

Chelsea's players have also repeatedly come out in support of Ancelotti. The Italian's sacking would mean the club would be looking for their seventh manager in eight years, the sort of instability that could do more harm than good.

The game's up: Chelsea's title challenge was ended at Old Trafford (above) after just 37 seconds following Javier Hernandez's lightning opener (below)

Yet, Ancelotti said: 'I think that I have a very good relationship with the players. But I don't think it would be a problem for next season if I'm not here. I hope, obviously, to stay here. But there may be another coach and they'll have the same relationship.

'We're speaking about very professional players, players with a lot of experience. Every coach who was here in the past had a good relationship with the players. They gave, all the time, their best.'

Sunday's defeat at Manchester United means Chelsea could kick off on Sunday having seen Sir Alex Ferguson's men claim the title 24 hours earlier.

Motivation might therefore be a problem against Newcastle but Ancelotti said: 'Our aim is to reach second place.

'This is the motivation for the players - to play a good game, have a reaction after the bad game we had against United. It's not been an easy week because we lost something.

'Before the game against United, everything was okay. Now our aims have changed. But second place is important. We have to do our best to reach this position in the table.'

Clock's ticking! Chelsea warned they have to move swiftly for Van BastenLuiz will become a Chelsea legend: Terry tips bright future for Brazilian United are champions because our challenge came too late, insists CechAll the latest Chelsea news, features and opinion